Sam Fender has been in the Big Apple recently and paid a visit to New York’s famous Newcastle supporters bar
Sam Fender at Peter Dillons in New York(Image: Peter Dillons)
Having a celebrity wander into your bar in New York is probably not that big of a deal, given that the ‘city that never sleeps’ is a hotbed of famous faces. But having United supporter and music icon Sam Fender stroll in an sign a Toon Army flag probably wasn’t on the bingo card for staff at the Big Apple’s dedicated Newcastle pub.
No doubt still on a high from his double win at this year’s Brit Awards, Sam has been in America of late and, just like every other NUFC fan who finds themselves in NYC, he couldn’t resist calling into Peter Dillons, the Irish sports bar that always brings in a crowd whenever the Magpies are playing and is adorned by pictures of current players like Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
One of the centrepieces of 36th St bar’s decor is a massive Toon Army flag in recognition of Peter Dillons being the official; home of the New York Toon Army club and, Sam was more than happy to follow in the footsteps of United legends like Shay Given and Shola Ameobi, by signing his name on it, much to the delight of the staff on shift at the time inside the pub not far from the Empire State Building. Sharing a photo of Sam inside the bar on their Facebook page, they wrote: ‘Thank you so much @sam_fender for coming by last night and signing the @toon.army.nyc flag!We hope with our $4 shot specials our bartender didn’t have to ‘rein you in.’
Peter Dillons on 36th street is the home of Newcastle United supporters in New York and there’s Toon memorabilia all over the bar.(Image: Matty Hewitt)
As well as using Sam’s Brit winning duet with Olivia Dean as inspiration, Peter Dillon’s signed off their post in true Geordie fashion with just three letters – HWL. Peter Dillons also shared a shot of Sam making himself at home behind the pumps and pouring himself a pint of Guinness.
One of the partners at Peter Dillons is Sean Henshaw, who has been at the helm since taking over 2020 and bring a die-hard Magpies fan since the age of 11-years-old. Speaking to ChroncleLive about the success of the bar last year, Sean said: “It’s great and everyone is welcome. My big thing, is if we’re not here it’s open arms to everyone. It’s a community and if you see tourists from Newcastle, chat to them and make them feel welcome. It’s Geordie spirit and they say they’ve had a great day.
“We’re trying to make as good an atmosphere here. We had one woman here two weeks ago and she said it was as good an atmosphere as she’s seen outside of St James’ Park. I’m delighted to hear that and I want to feel that. I don’t get to go to matches, it’s a five hour flight to London, then up to Newcastle. With two kids, I wouldn’t be able to do it.”
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